JAVS Summer 1997

71

AVS CHAPTERS

Editor's Note: Each president ofa localAVS chapter is requested to send news ofthat chapter to the editor of]AVS.

by Tom Heimberg

T he Northern California Viola Society held an enjoyable event on April 9. With the friendly cooperation of the management of the San Francisco Symphony, twenty-three members (including Tom Tatton, our national President) attended an open dress rehearsal of Yuri Bashmet performing two works with the Symphony: Morton Feldman's The Viola in My Life, and the Bartok Viola Concerto. Bashmet was at the top of his form at that rehearsal. He is always an interesting player, willing to explore a variety of sounds on his instrument (traditional beauty, yes-but also whisper, hiss, roar) in the pursuit of dramatic expression. It was good to hear and see him. The breaks were good, too, as the guests met with some of the Symphony violists. Don Ehrlich's newly acquired ergonomic viola by David Lloyd Rivinus attracted a lot of atten tion. He generously demonstrated it, and let anyone interested try it out. After the rehearsal, the Society

Special thanks were given to Eleanor Angel, who founded the Northern California Viola Society in 1994 and has served as its President ever since. Many of us had day dreamed about such an organization; she actu ally started it. She will continue to serve as Events Coordinator. And there will be events-among the proj

Maker 01 Violas. Violins and Cellos ects currently being discussed are more open rehearsals, viola play-ins, special master classes by local experts (audition preparation, practice workshops, etc.), and general all round viola partying. As our communication tools get established (a regular newsletter, a phone tree, the web) we will be able to share news and plans about performances, special events, and special needs. (For example, it will be easier to track down music needed on short notice.) Plans are also afoot to solicit composi tions for viola and to provide opportunities for William Robert Scott

hosted Mr. Bashmet at a luncheon held at Max's Opera Cafe, not far from Davies Hall. There was a small old-school reunion when Sergei Rakitchenkov, the Associate Prin cipal Viola of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, arrived. He and the guest of honor have known each other since they were both students in Moscow. "O.K. everybody, Sergei is here-no more English!" I announced-but it didn't work. The luncheon was followed by a brief but effective business meeting at which new officers were elected and installed. The new President of the Society is Tom Heimberg. (I am grateful, and enthusiastic.) Susan Marie Hall is the new Treasurer, and Ted Seitz will continue as Secretary.

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